Indicator system for on line printer

ABSTRACT

A forms alignment indicator mechanism is provided wherein a bistable device is set to a first condition by a first predetermined command signal received from the print data source. The bi-stable device conditions the indicator mechanism and it in turn is rendered operative upon receipt of a second predetermined command signal from the data source. The receipt of any third predetermined command signal between the first and second predetermined command signal renders the indicator mechanism inoperative.

United States Patent 1191 Lipo et al. 1 Sept. 9, 1975 INDICATOR SYSTEM FOR ON LINE 3,334,722 8/1967 Bernard 197/133 R PRINTER 3,509,817 5/1970 Sims 197 133 R x 3,524,528 8/1970 Peyton 197/133 R [75] In entor J me L- L po. lym M g; 3,601,297 8/1971 Funk et a1. 197 133 R ux Ralph W. Mahoney, Telford, both of Primary ExaminerC1iff0rd D. Crowder [73] Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation, Blue Bell, Assistant Examiner-R- Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Willmm E. Cleaver [22] Filed: Nov. 19, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT 1 1 pp 417,318 A forms alignment indicator mechanism is provided wherein a bi-stable device is set to a first condition by [52] CL 197/133 [97/186 8 a first predetermined command signal received from [5 I] IL 2 H [5/00 the print data source. The bi-stable device conditions [58] new or Search u 197/133 R 186 R '86 A the indicator mechanism and it in turn is rendered Op 197/ 186 B 137 d rative upon eceipt of a second predetermined comi mand signal from the data source. The receipt of any [56] References Cited third predetermined command signal between the first and second predetermined command signal renders UNITED STATES PATENTS the indicator mechanism inoperative. 1,887,165 11/1932 Myers. 197/186 B 3,308,919 3/1967 Cunningham 197/133 R x 3 Clalms, 3 Drawing Flgures COVER MOTOR MOTOR CONTROL STOP RUN BUTTON BUTTON Imam LAMP

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SHEU 1 BF 2 I2 (I0 (I l I i I III/0 I 4 f' I f OPERATIONAL CENTRALl g l DATA CONTROL I PRINTER PROCESSOR: a REG'STER CIRCUITS 4 MECH. I5 I UNIT E I I I l2b |2f 120 i COMMAND I REGISTER DECODER |2e -eao PRIOR ART RAISE BUTTON PATENTEDSEP sIIIIs 3,904,014

SHEET 2 2 ALIGN FORMS 69 LAMP 38%: DRIVER I as f MOTOR FLIP FLOP CONTROL RESETI SET f DOWN BUTTON RUN 59 604* SINGLE 54 RAISE PULSER COVER FLIP FLOP ,6] REsETI SET FLIP FL P O 58- 55% RESET] SET 0R u 62 J u OR l2? l2f 5? 64 |2f f STOP RUN BUTTON BUTTON DECODER INDICATOR SYSTEM FOR ON LINE PRINTER BACKGROUND This invention relates to a novel indicator system for a data processing printer.

Initially, printers of the instant class utilized, as illustrated by US. Pat. Nos. 2,53l,885 and 2,983,356, a punched paper tape loop for vertical formatting the printing paper used with the printers. The paper loop control, however, was found to have certain disadvantages and as a result finally gave way to the use of a buffer memory control for vertical formatting. US. Pat. Nos. 3,499,5l6 and 3,502,190 illustrate such a control system.

In the systems shown by these latter two patents, a vertical format buffer memory is substituted for the paper loop control. The buffer memory has as many storage locations as there are print lines on the paper form. Thus there exists in the buffer memory a corresponding memory location for each print line on the paper forms to be fed through the printer. A central data processing unit is connected to the printer and is utilized to direct the operation of the printer. It does so by means of a set of command signals which it, under control of its internal program, transmits to the printer. Included in the set of command signals are a Load Format Buffer command and a "Paper Advance command. The former command acts to store a binary coded signal representation at each memory location in the vertical format buffer which corresponds to a print line stopping point on the print forms. The second of these commands activates the printer paper feed mechanism. This command also contains a binary coded signal representation that identifies the desired stopping point for the paper.

The coded representations stored in the vertical format buffer are read out and compared with the coded stop representation contained in the Paper Advance command. When the two codes correspond, the desired stopping point for the paper motion is determined and paper motion is halted at this point.

A problem inherent with the above prior art approach is that the Load Format Buffer command causes the addressing circuits of the vertical format buffer to return to an initial or a home position while the form itself may not be at its initial or home position. To correct this disparity it becomes necessary for the operator to physically align the forms.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an indicator mechanism which will signal the operator that a forms alignment task is needed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a circuit for actuating the aforesaid indicator in re sponse to a given command sequence from the central processor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A feature of the present invention is that the cabinet which contains the printer mechanism is equipped with an electrically driven hood or cover member which may be raised by a Raise Cover command from the central processor. When a Raise Cover command is received from the central processor, the cover motor is energized and the cover is automatically raised to expose the printer mechanism to the operator to permit operator intervention.

An indicator lamp, perferably located on the control panel of the printer, is illuminated whenever the Load Format Buffer" command immediately precedes the Raise Cover command. The indicator lamp, being lit, will tell the operator why the cover was raised. Since operator intervention is required at other times which do not involve aligning the forms, a Raise Cover command by itself will not activate the lamp nor will a Load Format Buffer command by itself activate the lamp. The logic of the lamp activation circuit requires the central processor program to issue first the Load Format Buffer command and the the Raise Cover command in that sequence and without any other intervening I/O commands.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a highly simplified block diagram of a prior art printer system in which the present invention may be incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the indicator circuit of the present invention, and

FIG. 3 is a simple side elevational view of a typical printer cabinet for the printer mechanism of FIG. 1.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 where the block 13 represents a printer mechanism such as the band printer shown in the above US. Pat. No. 3,499,5 l 6. Included within the block 13 is, inter alia, a constantly moving print band, a set of print hammers and a paper guide and feed mechanism. Block 10 represents a conventional internally programmed data processor which includes a suitable I/O channel 11 from which is obtained the usual printer commands and print data. Interfacing the [/0 channel 11 of the data processor 10 and the printer mechanism 13 is a conventional l/O control unit 12. The control unit 12 typically comprises a data register 12a, a command register 12b, a command decoder 12c, and an operational control circuits section 12d. An out bus 14 and a set of control lines represented at 15 interconnect the I/O channel 11 to the control unit 12. The out bus 14 may, for example, comprise eight parallel lines over which both command and data signals are transmitted from the [/0 channel 11 to the control unit 12. In practice, the eight parallel lines comprising the out bus 14 carry the eight binary bits of a binary coded signal byte. The nature of the signal byte being transmitted over the out bus 14 is indicated by the activation of an appropriate one of the control lines represented at 15. For example, if the signal byte being transmitted over out bus 14 is a command signal, then a first control line 15 is activated so that the command byte will be stored in the command register 12b. On the other hand if the signal byte being transmitted over out bus 14 is a data byte such as a character to be printed, or a forms stop code for storage in the vertical format buffer, a second one of the control lines 15 will be activated and the received byte will be stored in the data register 12a.

From the known prior art, such as is typified by US. Pat. No. 3,499,516, it will be understood that the operational control circuits 12d include such components as the vertical format bufier and its addressing circuits; the print line buffer and its addressing circuits; the universal code buffer and its addressing circuits; various control and printer status flip-flops; byte counters, and etc. It will also be understood that the command register 12b may be a conventional eight stage flip-flop register, the eight output lines 12e of which drive a conventional decoder 12c. Decoder 126 has a plurality of output lines, represented at 12f, 12f and 12f", at least one of whi .11 is activated for each separate command stored in t t command register 12b. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 to which reference is now made, decoder outpi. ine 12f is activated whenever a Raise Cover command is stored in the command register 12b. Similarly, decoder output line 12f is activated whenever a Load Format Buffer command is stored in register 12b.

FIG. 2 shows at 69 a cover motor and at 68 a suitable motor control circuit therefor. The motor 69 is also shown in phantom form in FIG. 3. The motor control circuit 68 has, for example, an up input and a down input. The former input is coupled through an OR gate 65 to a "Raise Button 66 and also via line 57 to the Raise Cover output command line 12f from decoder 12c. The down input of the motor control circuit 68 is connected to a manually operated Down Button" 67.

Activation of the command line 12f of the decoder 12c or the manual operation of button 66 will activate the motor control circuit 68 to thereby cause the cover 75 of the printer cabinet 77 (FIG. 3) to be raised. Similarly, manual operation of the Down Button 67 will activate motor control circuit 68 to cause cover 75 to be closed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the motor control circuit 68 is set to its up condition, motor 69 turns the lead screw 70 in a first direction. As lead screw 70 turns, it moves the nut members 71 and 72 threaded thereon toward one another. Pivotally attached to the nut members 71 and 72 as by pivots 71a and 7 2a are a pair of arm members 73 and 74 which are in turn coupled together by a pivot pin 78. The pivot pin 78 engages an elongated track member 79 which is secured to the inside of the printer cover member 75. Thus as the nut members 71 and 72 are caused to move toward one another, the arms 73 and 74 move upwardly to cause the pivot pin 78 to push against the track 79 and force the cover 75 to pivot upwardly about its hinge 76 thereby exposing the printer mechanism 13 to the operator. When the cover 75 has opened to a preset position, a limit stop (not shown) is engaged and the motor 69 de-energized. Pushing the down button 67 activates motor control circuit 68 to cause motor 69 to rotate in the opposite direction. As it does so, lead screw 70 is turned in its opposite direction and nut members 71 and 72 move away from one another thereby closing the cover 75 on the cabinet 77.

Returning to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the indicator circuit of this invention comprises a first flip-flop 54 and a second flip-flop 52. The first flip-flop 54 has its set input terminal connected to the Load Format Buffer command line 12f" of decoder 126. The set output of flip-flop 54 is connected as one input to an AND gate 53 the other input to which is derived from the Raise Cover command line 12f of decoder 12c. The output of the AND gate 53 goes to the set input of flip-flop 52. The set output of flip-flop 52 operates an indicator lamp 50 via a lamp driver circuit 51. From the stated connections it will be seen that when flip-flop 54 has been set by a Load Format Buffer command, gate 53 is conditioned by the set state of flip-flop 54. Then if the next command is a Raise Cover command it will activate line 12f". Activating line 12]" causes a signal to pass through gate 53 to set flip-flop 52 and thereby illuminate the indicator lamp 50. Flipflop 54 is reset via OR gate 55 which is connected to all of the command output lines 12f of decoder 12c except for the Load Format Bufier line 12f and the Raise Cover line 12]. Thus it will be appreciated that flip-flop 52 has to be set in order to illuminate the indicator lamp 50, and that both the Load Format Buffer and the Raise Cover commands must be given in the stated sequence in order to set flip-flop 52. If there are any intervening I/O commands, one of the other output lines 12] of the decoder 120 will reset the flip-flop 54 via the OR gate 55. Resetting the flip-flop 54 deactivates gate 53 and hence prevents a subsequently received Raise Cover command from passing a signal through AND gate 53 to set flip-flop 52. Flip-flop 52 thus remains reset and the indicator lamp 50 is not illuminated. The reason for requiring this sequence of commands to illuminate the indicator lamp 50 is that under certain conditions no alignment of forms is called for even though a new vertical format may be stored in the format buffer. Obviously if no forms alignment is necessary, then raising the cabinet cover is also unnecessary. Conversely, it may be necessary to raise the cabinet cover 75 to permit operator intervention for reasons other than aligning forms. In this case, it would be misleading to the operator to have the indicator lamp 50 lit.

Finally, the circuit of FIG. 2 contains a third flip-flop 61 which may be termed a Run" flip-flop. This flipflop 61 has a manually operated Run Button" 63 connected to its set input and its reset input is connected through an OR gate 62 to a manual stop button 64 and to line 57 from the Raise Cover output command line 12] of the command decoder 12c. The set output line 60 of this flip-flop 61 is connected, for example, to the control circuits 12d and/or printer mechanism 13 of FIG. 1. When flip-flop 61 is in its set-condition, its set output line 60 enables either or both the control circuits 12d and printer mechanism 13 by means not shown. In the set condition of the flip-flop 61, the printer mechanism 13 is rendered operative, In the reset condition of flip-flop 61, however, the printer mechanism 13 is rendered inoperative and is said to be in a stop condition. Obviously, manual operation of button 64 or receipt of the Raise Cover command will place the printer mechanism 13 in its stop condition.

A single pulser 59 connects the output line 60 of flipflop 61 to the reset inputs of flip-flops S2 and 54. This connection to the latter flip-flop 54 is via the line 58 and the OR gate 55. Thesingle pulser 59 responds to the activation of the output line 60, which occurs when the Run Button 63 has been pushed, to reset both flipflops 52 and 54. Resetting flip-flops 52 and 54 extinguishes the indicator lamp 50, while setting flip-flop 61 restores the printer mechanism 13 to an operative condition.

We claim:

1. In a printer system having, (a) a printer mechanism, (b) a program variable signal source which provides a plurality of different command signals to effect different operations of said printer mechanism at different times, and (c) a printer control section for effecting said different operations of said printer mechanism in response to different ones of said command signals received from said program variable signal source; the improvement which comprises: a first settable device capable of being set in first and second conditions and connected to said program variable signal source and including first condition signal output means to provide a first condition signal thereon in response to the receipt of a first predetermined command signal from said program variable signal source; a second settable device capable of being set in first and second conditions and including a second condition signal output means whereat a second condition signal is provided in response to said second settable device being placed in its second condition; coincidence signal means connected to said program variable signal source and to said first condition signal output means to provide an output signal in response to the receipt of a second predetermined command signal from said program variable signal source in combination with the presence of said first condition signal; circuitry means connecting the output of said coincidence signal means to said second settable device for causing said second settable device to be transferred to its second condition; noncoincidence gate means; a plurality of circuit means connecting said noncoincidence gate means to said program variable signal source to provide an output signal in response to the receipt of any command signal from said program variable signal source other than said first or second predetermined command signal; second circuitry means connecting the output means of said noncoincidence gate means to said first settable device to cause such first settable device to be placed in its second condition; an indicator means coupled to said second condition signal output means for indicating said second condition of said second settable device whereby the user of said printer system can determine that said first predetermined command signal preceded said second predetermined command signal and no other command signals were transmitted to said first settable device in between.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein there is further included a manually operable signal generating means connected to said noncoincidence gate means to provide an output signal therefrom in response to the generation of the signal from said manually operable signal generating means.

3. In a printer system having the following components: (a) printer mechanism, (b) a cabinet means enclosing said printer mechanism wherein said cabinet means includes a cover member and a cover raising electric motor means associated therewith, (c) a program variable signal source which provides a plurality of different command signals to effect different operations of said printer mechanism, and (d) a control section for effecting said different operations of said printer mechanism in response to different ones of said command signals received from said program variable signal source; the improvement which comprises: a first settable device connected to said program variable signal source and including a first condition signal output means, said first settable device capable of being set in first and second conditions and responsive to the receipt of a first predetermined command signal from said program variable signal source to provide a first condition signal on said first condition signal output means; a second settable device capable of being set in first and second conditions and including a second condition signal output means upon which there is provided a second condition signal when said second settable device is placed in its second condition; coincidence signal means connected to said program variable signal source and to said first condition signal output means, said coincidence signal means further having output circuitry connected to said second settable device to set said second settable device to its second condition in response to the receipt from said program variable signal source of a command signal for actuat ing said cover raising motor means while simultaneously receiving said first condition signal; noncoincidence gate means connected to receive any one or more of a plurality of command signals from said program variable signal source, said noncoincidence gate means having an output signal means connected to said first settable device to place said first settable device in its second condition in response to the receipt of any command signal from said program variable signal source other than said first predetermined command signal or said command signal which actuates said cover raising motor; an indicator means coupled to receive said second condition signal to indicate that said system received said first predetermined command signal followed by said command signal which actuates said cover raising motor without said noncoincidence gate means receiving any of said other command signals in between. 

1. In a printer system having, (a) a printer mechanism, (b) a program variable signal source which provides a plurality of different command signals to effect different operations of said printer mechanism at different times, and (c) a printer control section for effecting said different operations of said printer mechanism in response to different ones of said command signals received from said program variable signal source; the improvement which comprises: a first settable device capable of being set in first and second conditions and connected to said program variable signal source and including first condition signal output means to provide a first condition signal thereon in response to the receipt of a first predetermined command signal from said program variable signal source; a second settable device capable of being set in first and second conditions and including a second condition signal output means whereat a second condition signal is provided in response to said second settable device being placed in its second condition; coincidence signal means connected to said program variable signal source and to said first condition signal output means to provide an output signal in response to the receipt of a second predetermined command signal from said program variable signal source in combination with the presence of said first condition signal; circuitry means connecting the output of said coincidence signal means to said second settable device for causing said second settable device to be transferred to its second condition; noncoincidence gate means; a plurality of circuit means connecting said noncoincidence gate means to said program variable signal source to provide an output signal in response to the receipt of any command signal from said program variable signal source other than said first or second predetermined command signal; second circuitry means connecting the output means of said noncoincidence gate means to said first settable device to cause such first settable device to be placed in its second condition; an indicator means coupled to said second condition signal output means for indicating said second condition of said second settable device whereby the user of said printer system can determine that said first predetermined command signal preceded said second predetermined command signal and no other command signals were transmitted to said first settable device in between.
 2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein there is further included a manually operable signal generating means connected to said noncoincidence gate means to provide an output signal therefrom in response to the generation of the signal from said manually operable signal generating means.
 3. In a printer system having the following components: (a) printer mechanism, (b) a cabinet means enclosing said printer mechanism wherein said cabinet means includes a cover member and a cover raising electric motor means associated therewith, (c) a program variable signal source which provides a plurality of different command signals to effect different operations of said printer mechanism, and (d) a control section for effecting said different operations of said printer mechanism in response to different ones of said command signals received from said program variable signal source; the improvement which comprises: a first settable device connected to said program variable signal source and including a first condition signal output means, said first settable device capable of being set in first and second conditions and responsive to the receipt of a first predetermined command signal from said program variable signal source to provide a first condition signal on said first condition signal output means; a second settable device capable of being set in first and second conditions and including a second condition signal output means upon which there is provided a second condition signal when said second settable device is placed in its second condition; coincidence signal means connected to said program variable signal source and to said first condition signal output means, said coincidence signal means further having output circuitry connected to said second settable device to set said second settable device to its second condition in response to the receipt from said program variable signal source of a command signal for actuating said cover raising motor means while simultaneously receiving said first condition signal; noncoincidence gate means connected to receive any one or more of a plurality of command signals from said program variable signal source, said noncoincidence gate means having an output signal means connected to said first settable device to place said first settable device in its second condition in response to the receipt of any command signal from said program variable signal source other than said first predetermined command signal or said command signal which actuates said cover raising motor; an indicator means coupled to receive said second condition signal to indicate that said system received said first predetermined command signal followed by said command signal which actuates said cover raising motor without said noncoincidence gate means receiving anY of said other command signals in between. 